By Charlie Collins
Ballyhaise 4-15 vs 0-11 Downings
Three first-half goals put Cavan Intermediate Champions Ballyhaise in complete control of this Ulster Championship Quarter-Final at Breffni Park.
Downings were unable to reach the level of performance they produced during the Donegal championship and will be very disappointed about that. Paddy McElwee’s two early points to David Brady’s lone reply had Downings a point ahead early on. However as the Donegal men struggled under pressure from their own kick-out the Cavan champions took control with a string of scores including the game’s first goal.
Michael Brady, Eoin Clarke and David Brady all pointed and then when a high dropping ball caused problems for keeper McClafferty, Adam Heaslip pounced to drill the ball into the net and when Martin Conaty and Micheal Brady added points it was 1-06 to 0-02 after fifteen minutes.
Johnny McGroddy converted a free for Downings but almost immediately Padraig Moore blasted in Ballyhaise’s second goal, then added a point, Lorcan Connor added Downings fourth point but Padraig Moore scored his second and Ballyhaise’s third goal, 3-07 to 0-04 and the Cavan men in complete control.
David and Michael Brady added points while Johnny McGroddy got Downings’ fifth, leaving his team with a mountain to climb as they trailed by 3-09 to 0-05 at half-time.
Kevin Tierney and Cormac Clarke added early points for Ballyhaise but not surprisingly the game never reached the standard of the first-half with scores had to come by. After a long scoreless period Paddy McElwee added two to bring his total to four but points by Kevin Tierney and David Brady’s fourth made it 3-13 to 0-07.
Oisín Boyce and Johnny McGroddy replied but Michael Brady quickly kicked two in reply and then when David Brady was fouled Kevin Tierney converted from the penalty spot for Ballyhaise’s fourth goal.
Downings kept trying and got the final two scores with Keelin McGroddy and Paddy Elwee with Nissan fifth to leave a final scoreline of 4-15 to 0-11 points.
Downings: Aaron McClafferty, Tiarnan McBride, Ben McNutt, Paddy McGinty, Keelin McGroddy (0-01), Ronan Gallagher, Dean McBride; Oisin Boyce (0-01), Shane Boyce, Alan Pasoma, Kevin Doherty, Conor Boyce; Johnny McGroddy (0-03), Lorcan Connor (0-01), Paddy McElwee (0-05). Subs used Aodh McBride (17mins), Ben McBride and Ethan Cullen (half-time).